Sounding device



June 3, 1930. w. N iCHO LS .7 .48

souumne DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1928 z'sheets-snee't 1 uuantor June 3, 1930. A. w. NICHOLS SOUND ING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 3, 1930 UNITED STATES P ARTHUR W..NICHOLS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

sounmne lnnvxon Application filed October 23, 1928'. Serial). 314,354.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in sounding devices for use by the drummers or other members of dance or theatre orchestras, and aims to provide means whereby the roar or drone of an automobile, motor boat or aeroplane engine may be simulated for obviously adding to the effect of stage performances, moving pictures, or certain passages within musical themes.

An important object of this invention is to provide a sounding device of this character that is simple in construction and inexpensive of manufacture, and one wherein the tone of the sound may be properly regulated.

' With the foregoing and other objects in view as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a top plan view of the improved sound device.

FigureQ is a front end elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section through one of the sounding boxes, and

Figure 4; is a cross section through a rotatably mounted drum or pulley around which is arranged a cord or cable, the ends of which are attached to a pair of opposed sound boxes movable toward and away from the striking implement, however, I do not wish to be limited to this particular means whereby the sound boxes may be moved toward or away from said striker.

Now having particular reference to the drawing, the present device consists of a suitable base 5 upon which is mounted a small electric motor 6, the forward end of the armature shaft of which is equipped with a disc 7 having transverse notches 8 in the periphery thereof. Securely arranged within these notches are the ends of canvas or leather straps 9, each of which consists of a single length of material folded over upon itself to form loops. These straps provide beater elements and maybe of any predetermined length and width.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention there is hingedly arranged upon the top surface of the base 5 at opposite sides of the beater unit a pair of sound boxes 10-10. These boxes are of any suitable. material and of predetermined dimension. They are open at their inner faces and arranged thereover are strips of canvas, pigskin or other suitable material to provide beating surfaces 1l11 for said sounding boxes. If desired, these boxes may be equipped at their top walls with sound emitting horns, nozzles, or the like 12, although it is not absolutely necessary that these be provided in order to produce the desired result.

As one means whereby these sounding boxes may be moved toward or away from the striker elements 9 the forward ends thereof are provided with suitable handles 1313.

Furthermore, in order that the boxes may be simultaneously moved by'the use of one hand there is mounted upon the forward end of the base 5 a pulley 14 having a handie 15 and around which is extendeda cord or cable 16, the ends thereof being secured to the sound boxes at the top sides thereof. In this instance one box will be moved toward the striker elements, while the other box will be moved awavfrom the striker element for. producing a slightly different effect when both boxes are moved toward or away from the strikers.

Other means may be provided for moving the boxes simultaneously toward or away from the striker elements and I do not desire to be limited to the specific means disclosed in the drawings.

Obviously when the motor 6 is operated, the striker elements 9 will be caused to rapidly beat upon the sounding surfaces 11 -11 of the boxes 10--10, and by reason of the construction of the boxes and said striker elements the hum, roar, or purr of an automobile, aeroplane, or motor boat engine will be simulated, and by reason of the movability of the sounding boxes the sound can be increased or diminished at will.

Even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain detail structural elements it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be made therein without affecting the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sounding device of the character described, a base member, a rotary member associated with said base member, means whereby said rotary member may be rotated, spaced striker fingers associated with said rotary member, a pair oi impact receiving members arranged upon the base at opposite sides of said rotary member and against the adjacent faces oi which said striker fingers are adapted to engage during the rotation of said rotary member.

9. In a sounding device of the character described, a base member, a rotary member associated with said base member, means whereby said rotary member may be rotated, looped spaced striker fingers associated with said rotary member, a pair of impact receiving members arranged upon the base at opposite sides of said rotary member and against the adjacent faces oi which said striker fingers are adapted to engage during the rotation of said rotary member, said impact receiving members being movably i associated with the base, and manual means whereby to move said impact members toaid or away from the strikers.

3. In a sounding device of the character described, a base member, a rotary member associated with said base member, means whereby said rotary member may be rotated, spaced striker fingers associated with said rotary member, a pair of impact receiving member-s arranged upon the base at opposite sides oi" said rotary member and against the adjacent faces of which said striker lingers are adapted to engage during the rotation of said rotary member, and means for simultancously moving one oi? the impact receiving members toward and the other away from the path of the spaced striking fingers.

In testimony whereof I aflix'my signature.

ARTHUR IV. NICHOLS. 

